Training Campppppp

I've been involved in almost 13 training camps. I sympathize with those involved because I know what they are going through. Long hours and monotonous work but mostly an eagerness to oput 2009 behind you and start this year. As an assistant equipment manager, I was drained mentally and physically. In 1995, our last training camp at Guelph University, I left for my University graduation and recall being nudged during the ceremony because I dozed off.

I think the most difficult thing for me was seperating personal feelings from what we refer to as the "nature of professional sport". There was a time and era when the equipment staff was responsible for knocking on the players door in the morning and if a player was on a list of those that are on the released transactions, the player was told the coach wants to see you with your playbook.

On particular day I knocked on a door, however the door was opened and I had to tell the player face to face the dreaded words. Once I spoke the words it was evident that he had not much of a fall back plan because he teared up and put his hands in his head.

I had to try hard not to get involved and talk to him because I had always been told that there are alot of released players and through my career there will be many more. Players deal with the news differently, some are prepared others direct their anger to staff and those that bare the news. Next blog I'll talk about the way someone dealt with the news that warranted a phone call gto the Guelph police.

The day before

Tomorrow is our Foundation fund raiser. We'll have Dan Hill performing along with supporters of the Foundation. I hope that we raise some funds to encourage survival of all our incredible programs. For me my day begins at 6:00 when I have to go to the practice facility to pick up our newest edition Jermaine Copeland. The advantage I have is to talk to him and find out the type of charitable events he likes and to get him to sign some memorabilia for donations.

I truly think that it might be a long day, however I'm doing what I enjoy the best so the adrenaline will take me to the end. then I do it all over on Friday. It's going to start to get pretty busy the next few days and I'm sure I'll have alot to say on the blog. With my first Level the Playing field meeting, the first day of training camp and a visit of young kids to practice.

Stay tuned.